Manama: Bahrain's National Safety Court of Appeals on Wednesday upheld the verdicts issued against 21 defendants put on trial on charges of plotting to overthrow the political regime.

In June, the National Safety Court of First Instance sentenced Abdul Wahab Hussain Ali Ahmad, Hassan Ali Mushaima, Abdul Hadi Abdullah Al Khawaja, Abdul Jalil Abdullah Al Singees, Mohammad Habib Al Saffaf (Al Miqdad), Saeed Mirza Ahmad, Abdul Jalil Radhi Makki and the London-based Saeed Abdulnabi Al Shehabi, who was tried in absentia, to life in prison.

The court also sentenced 10 defendants to 15 years, two to five years and one to two years.

Ebrahim Shareef, the secretary general of the National Democratic Action Society "Waad", Bahrain's largest liberal society, was of the two defendants sentenced to five years in prison.

The defendants, 14 in custody and seven out of Bahrain, were charged with establishing and managing terror groups to topple the state royal regime and change its constitution; intelligence with an overseas terrorist organisation to commit hostile acts against Bahrain; attempting to forcefully and change Bahrain's constitution and toppling its political regime; inciting for the toppling of the political regime; collecting funds and paying terror groups, with knowledge of their terrorist activities; possessing documents and publications inciting the overthrow of the political regime; insulting the army; public incitement of hatred and contempt of the regime; disseminating false information, rumours and malicious propaganda that would disrupt public order and harm public interest; inciting non-compliance with laws and promoting a matter that is considered a crime; and taking part in rallies without notifying the competent authorities.

The first court session of the group was held on May 8, but was postponed to May 12 to allow the families of three defendants to hire lawyers.

Under Bahrain's laws, no trial can be conducted, even in special courts, without the defendant being represented by a lawyer, with the court obliged to name one if required.